.png){kind=small}
.png){kind=small}
From the 24th of September to the 2nd of October 2022, the UK will be celebrating its biggest ever community action to tackle climate change - and everyone’s invited!
Thinking about how the places we know and love might look in the future, and coming together to protect them, is just one of the many reasons people around the UK are choosing to take part in this year’s #GreatBigGreenWeek. 🌳🌍💚
So, how can you get involved? Keep reading to find out why this week is so important and for the many ways in which you can take part and make a real difference:
What is Great Big Green Week?
The Great Big Green Week is the UK's biggest ever celebration of community action to tackle climate change and protect our environment.
Over 5000 events took place for last year's Great Big Green Week, with more than 200,000 people showing up for the planet - both online and within their local communities. National organisations, institutions, businesses and media outlets joined in by getting more people involved up and down the country, putting additional pressure on the UK Government to step up its game on climate change.
Why is Great Big Green Week so important?
The impacts of extreme weather events caused by climate change can be seen all around us - in the UK and beyond. In 2021, the UK hosted the major UN climate summit, COP26, and came out of this summit with a big to-do list.
We now need to show our government that we expect them to deliver on their promises from COP26 to protect the planet for now and future generations to come - before it's too late.
How can I get involved in Great Big Green Week?
At ImageNPay, we care deeply about the planet and the people on it. Sustainability is important to us, and we're all for initiatives that promote a greener planet.
Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can get involved in this year's Great Big Green Week to work towards a greener future - no matter how big or small.
Host an Event
If you can get others within your community involved, why not collectively host an event during Great Big Green Week? It can be something as simple as all coming together to take part in a litter pick-up around your area, or a beach clean-up if you live near the coast. Finish up the day with a drink, cake and chat in your local green space or community hall.
Ditch The Cars
Even if it's just for one day rather than the whole week, going car-free (and maybe even hosting a Bike Day instead) can do a lot of good for our planet. Last year, Guildford Council hosted their first ever Car Free Day with market stalls, live music and street play for the family. Could you contact your local council and ask them to support you to run one locally?
Get Outdoors
Take a moment to really appreciate your planet by getting outside as much as possible during Great Big Green Week. Get outdoors and experience all the great things nature has to offer - you could even coordinate a Nature Walk & Trail in your neighbourhood to celebrate nature in your local park, nature reserve or green space.
Calculate your Climate Footprint
Do you know your carbon footprint? Many of us don't realise the impact our daily actions have on the climate, so it can be worth checking up and making a plan on how to reduce yours. Work out your carbon footprint with WWF’s Footprint Calculator and use The Wildlife Trusts guide to see if you can take one action to make it smaller.
Go Plastic-Free
There are plenty of ways you can reduce your plastic waste during Great Big Green Week - and beyond if you're feeling up to it! Try swapping one item in your bathroom with its eco-friendly alternative (for example, a bamboo toothbrush or shampoo bar), or get together with some friends and have a plastic-free picnic where you bring plastic-free utensils and plant-based snacks.
You could also go shopping at local businesses that specialise in plastic-free products - and use your ImageNPay Plastic-Free Digital Card to pay!
For even more ideas on how to get involved with Great Big Green Week, check out this A-Z list of ideas or visit www.GreatBigGreenWeek.com. to find out more about how you can help to create a greener, safer future for us all 💚
To join ImageNPay and help us embark on a world of plastic-free payments, click below to find out more and download your digital card on iOS and Android!
